IB History HL1 Russian Revolution

Romanov Dynasty (1613-1917)

The Russian royal family that ruled from 1613 to 1917. Their reign was characterized by imperial expansion and attempts at modernization of Russia. The dynasty ended with the execution of Tsar Nicholas II and his family during the Russian Revolution.

Nicholas I (1825-1855)

Emperor of Russia from 1825 to 1855, was known for his staunchly autocratic and conservative rule. He suppressed liberal and revolutionary movements, earning him the title 'Gendarme of Europe.'

Alexander II (1855-1881)

Ruled as Tsar of Russia from 1855 to 1881. Best known for emancipating the serfs in 1861, a significant reform aimed at modernizing Russia. Other reforms included military and judicial changes. He was assassinated by revolutionaries.

Alexander III (1881-1894)

Tsar of Russia from 1881 to 1894, he reversed many of his father's liberal reforms and pursued reactionary policies. He emphasized Russification, aiming to assimilate non-Russian communities into Russian culture.

Nicholas II (1894-1917)

The last Tsar of Russia, ruling from 1894 to 1917. The reign was marked by events such as the Russo-Japanese War, the 1905 Revolution, and World War I, ultimately leading to the Russian Revolution and the end of the Romanov dynasty.

Tsar/Czar

The title used for the emperor of Russia, derived from 'Caesar.'

Ivan Turgenev (1818-1883)

A prominent Russian novelist and playwright (1818-1883), known for his works portraying various aspects of Russian society. His notable works include 'Fathers and Sons'.

The Emancipation Edict (1861)

Issued by Alexander II in 1861, this edict granted personal freedom to serfs, representing a major step toward modernizing Russian society.

Mir

A self-governing community of peasant households in Russia. It collectively managed land and local affairs.

Conscription Act (1874)

A significant military reform enacted under Alexander II in 1874. It mandated conscription for all classes at age 20 and reduced the length of military service, modernizing the Russian army.

Vera Zasulich (1849-1919)

A Russian revolutionary (1849-1919) known for her involvement in political violence against the Tsarist regime. Her actions reflected the growing unrest and revolutionary fervor in Russia.

Dumas (1906)

Legislative assemblies established in late Imperial Russia following the 1905 Revolution. These assemblies represented an attempt to introduce a constitutional monarchy, though their power was limited.

Narodnaya Volya (1879-1887)

A Russian revolutionary organization active from 1879 to 1887 that advocated for terrorism and assassinated Alexander II in 1881. Their actions demonstrated the radical opposition to Tsarist rule.

Russification

A policy implemented by the Russian government aimed at assimilating non-Russian communities into Russian culture. It involved promoting the Russian language, culture, and customs in non-Russian areas.

Princess Alice of Hesse-Darmstadt (1872-1918)

The wife of Nicholas II, also known as Empress Alexandra. She was heavily influenced by Grigori Rasputin, which discredited the monarchy.

Pytor Stolypin (1906-1911)

Prime Minister under Nicholas II from 1906 to 1911. Known for his agricultural reforms aimed at creating a class of peasant landowners, as well as his suppression of political dissent.

Sergei Witte (1892-1903)

Served as Minister of Finance and implemented economic reforms, including the adoption of the gold standard. His policies aimed to modernize and stabilize the Russian economy.

Karl Marx (1818-1883)

A philosopher, economist, and revolutionary socialist (1818-1883) whose ideas influenced socialist movements worldwide. He is best known as the author of 'The Communist Manifesto' and 'Das Kapital'.

1905 Revolution

A series of uprisings and strikes in 1905 that led to the creation of the Duma, Russia's first legislative assembly. It was triggered by social and political discontent and defeat in the Russo-Japanese War.

Russo-Japanese War (1904-1905)

A conflict between Russia and Japan from 1904 to 1905 that resulted in a Russian defeat. The war exposed the government's ineffectiveness and contributed to growing unrest in Russia.

October Manifesto (1905)

Issued by Nicholas II in 1905 in response to the 1905 Revolution, promising civil rights and the establishment of a legislative Duma. It represented a concession by the Tsar to appease popular discontent.

Kulaks

Wealthier peasants in Russia who owned land and hired labor. They were targeted during Stalin's collectivization policies in the 1920s and 1930s.

Grigori Rasputin (died 1916)

A controversial mystic who gained influence in the court of Nicholas II. His presence and influence contributed to the discrediting of the monarchy.

Mensheviks

A faction within the Russian Social Democratic Labour Party that advocated for gradual socialist reform through parliamentary means and trade unions. They were less radical than the Bolsheviks.

Bolsheviks

A radical, far-left, and revolutionary faction within the Russian Social Democratic Labour Party, founded by Vladimir Lenin. They advocated for a socialist revolution and the establishment of a communist state.

Lenin (1870-1924)

Vladimir Ilyich Ulyanov, known as Lenin, was a Russian communist revolutionary, politician, and political theorist. He served as the first and founding head of government of Soviet Russia from 1917 to 1924 and of the Soviet Union from 1922 to 1924. Under his administration, Russia and then the wider Soviet Union became a one-party communist state governed by the Bolshevik Party. Ideologically a Marxist, he developed a political theory known as Leninism.